Monday, May 31, 2010
Video: Gaza Flotilla Thugs Stab Israeli Soldiers, Use Immediate Extreme Violence (Important Updates)I'm going out shortly and can't do a moment to moment blog on the goings on of the Gaza Flotilla freaks, but I wanted to get a few things up. Needless to say, once again, the International Solidarity Movement has more blood on its hands.
Israeli commandos descended one at a time onto one of the ships, not expecting serious resistance and armed with non-lethal weapons like paint guns. They carried pistols only as backups.
They were immediately set upon by the passengers, beaten with sticks and stabbed. The thugs on board took the soldiers' weapons -- two pistols are reported to have been recovered from the passengers. Only after the stabbing and attempt to take an IDF soldier hostage did they request and receive permission to use live fire. As you see the news footage that's been released so far, remember that the people in orange life preservers beating the other guys with sticks are the passengers. The passengers are doing the beating!
Here is the shocking footage of the stabbing which should put the lie to any idea that these are innocent peace activists:
According to the MFA:
the flotilla that was seeking to break the maritime closure on the Gaza Strip, IDF forces apprehended two violent activists holding pistols. The violent activists took these pistols from IDF forces and apparently opened fire on the soldiers as evident by the empty pistol magazines.
The IDF Spokesperson has released this statement: Demonstrators Use Violence Against Israeli Navy Soldiers Attempting to Board Ship, 31 May 2010, and this overhead video showing the extreme violence with which the IDF was faced the moment the first soldier touched down. These were NOT non-violent human rights activists they faced:
Update: From Jamil (lots of good information there), Haaretz labels this photo, "A left-wing activist on board the Gaza flotilla holding a knife after Israel Navy commandos boarded their ship on May 31, 2010." [Further update on this: Note that there has been some concern that there is some photoshopping on this pic and/or that Haaretz got the caption not quite right. It appears to have been pulled from the Haaretz site and the provenance is unknown. The knife does appear to be among those pulled from the passengers. Caveat emptor.]
Here's a must-read at YNet: A brutal ambush at sea
Ron Ben Yishai recounts bloody clash aboard Gaza-bound vessel: The lacking crowd-dispersal means, the brutal violence of 'peace activists,' and the attempt to bring down an IDF helicopter
Our Navy commandoes fell right into the hands of the Gaza mission members. A few minutes before the takeover attempt aboard the Marmara got underway, the operation commander was told that 20 people were waiting on the deck where a helicopter was to deploy the first team of the elite Flotilla 13 unit. The original plan was to disembark on the top deck, and from there rush to the vessel's bridge and order the Marmara's captain to stop.
Officials estimated that passengers will show slight resistance, and possibly minor violence; for that reason, the operation's commander decided to bring the helicopter directly above the top deck. The first rope that soldiers used in order to descend down to the ship was wrested away by activists, most of them Turks, and tied to an antenna with the hopes of bringing the chopper down. However, Flotilla 13 fighters decided to carry on.
Navy commandoes slid down to the vessel one by one, yet then the unexpected occurred: The passengers that awaited them on the deck pulled out bats, clubs, and slingshots with glass marbles, assaulting each soldier as he disembarked. The fighters were nabbed one by one and were beaten up badly, yet they attempted to fight back.
However, to their misfortune, they were only equipped with paintball rifles used to disperse minor protests, such as the ones held in Bilin. The paintballs obviously made no impression on the activists, who kept on beating the troops up and even attempted to wrest away their weapons.
One soldier who came to the aid of a comrade was captured by the rioters and sustained severe blows. The commandoes were equipped with handguns but were told they should only use them in the face of life-threatening situations. When they came down from the chopper, they kept on shouting to each other "don't shoot, don't shoot," even though they sustained numerous blows.
'I saw the tip of a rifle'
The Navy commandoes were prepared to mostly encounter political activists seeking to hold a protest, rather than trained street fighters. The soldiers were told they were to verbally convince activists who offer resistance to give up, and only then use paintballs. They were permitted to use their handguns only under extreme circumstances.
The planned rush towards the vessel's bridge became impossible, even when a second chopper was brought in with another crew of soldiers. "Throw stun grenades," shouted Flotilla 13's commander who monitored the operation. The Navy chief was not too far, on board a speedboat belonging to Flotilla 13, along with forces who attempted to climb into the back of the ship.
The forces hurled stun grenades, yet the rioters on the top deck, whose number swelled up to 30 by that time, kept on beating up about 30 commandoes who kept gliding their way one by one from the helicopter. At one point, the attackers nabbed one commando, wrested away his handgun, and threw him down from the top deck to the lower deck, 30 feet below. The soldier sustained a serious head wound and lost his consciousness.
Only after this injury did Flotilla 13 troops ask for permission to use live fire. The commander approved it: You can go ahead and fire. The soldiers pulled out their handguns and started shooting at the rioters' legs, a move that ultimately neutralized them. Meanwhile, the rioters started to fire back at the commandoes.
"I saw the tip of a rifle sticking out of the stairwell," one commando said. "He fired at us and we fired back. We didn't see if we hit him. We looked for him later but couldn't find him." Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds to their knee and stomach after rioters apparently fired at them using guns wrested away from troops.
2 errors
During the commotion, another commando was stabbed with a knife. In a later search aboard the Marmara, soldiers found caches of bats, clubs, knives, and slingshots used by the rioters ahead of the IDF takeover. It appeared the activists were well prepared for a fight.
Some passengers on the ship stood at the back and pounded the soldiers' hands as they attempted to climb on board. Only after a 30-minute shootout and brutal assaults using clubs and knifes did commandoes manage to reach the bridge and take over the Marmara.
It appears that the error in planning the operation was the estimate that passengers were indeed political activists and members of humanitarian groups who seek a political provocation, but would not resort to brutal violence. The soldiers thought they will encounter Bilin-style violence; instead, they got Bangkok. The forces that disembarked from the helicopters were few; just dozens of troops - not enough to contend with the large group awaiting them.
The second error was that commanders did not address seriously enough the fact that a group of men were expecting the soldiers on the top deck. Had they addressed this more seriously, they may have hurled tear-gas grenades and smoke grenades from the helicopter to create a screen that would have enabled them to carry out their mission, without the fighters falling right into the hands of the rioters, who severely assaulted them.
Update 2: This video shows very clearly the soldiers being instantly attacked by gas mask wearing passengers who were prepared for violence:
Here's another good page of information from the MFA: Behind the Headlines: The seizure of the Gaza flotilla. A snip:
...The intent of the militants was violent, the methods they employed were violent, and unfortunately, the result was violent.
The attack on the Israeli soldiers was premeditated. The weapons used had been prepared in advance. Huwaida Arraf, a flotilla organizer, foreshadowed the violence with her statement that: "They [the Israelis] are going to have to forcefully stop us." Bulent Yildirim, the leader of the IHH, one of the primary organizers of the flotilla, announced just prior to boarding: "We are going to resist and resistance will win." The militants whipped up the boarding crowd by chanting "Intifada, intifada, intifada!"
It should be noted that the Turkish organizing group, IHH, has a radical anti-Western orientation. Alongside its legitimate humanitarian activities, it supports radical Islamic networks such as Hamas, and at least in the past has supported global jihad elements, such as al-Qaeda...
Update: Isn't Israel violating International Law/engaging in piracy by boarding the boats? No: Int'l Law Expert Dr. Robbie Sabel: IDF action in international waters legal
Dr. Sabel explained that a state, in a time of conflict, can impose an embargo, and while it cannot carry out embargo activities in the territorial waters of a third party, it can carry out embargo activities in international waters.
Within this framework it is legal to detain a civilian vessel trying to break an embargo and if in the course of detaining the vessel, force is used against the forces carrying out the detention then that force has every right to act in self defense.
Dr. Sabel noted that there is a long history of embargo activities in international waters.
And:
...according to the San Remo Manual, it is permissible under rule 67(a) to attack neutral vessels on the high seas when the vessels "are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture."
Also, Video Richard Landes Live from Jerusalem
Also, a blast from the past. What flotilla organizer Greta Berlin really thinks about Jews:
...On numerous occasions I heard Greta launch the insults "the god damned Israelis, and those F****** Jews" at the dinner table in front of my father (a Jew) and the few Israeli friends and relatives who ventured to visit. Additionally, any rational debate attempted by anyone with an opposing view to Greta's, was immediately terminated with the responses: "Shut up" or "You don't know what the hell you're talking about." The rebuttal usually presented in screaming form.
These comments in juxtaposition to her role as "Peace Activist" I find hard to rectify. It prompts me to ask what should be an obvious question; "At what point did terms of hate and bigotry become synonymous with Peace?"...
Also: Melanie Phillips: 'Peace convoy'? This was an Islamist terror ambush
And of course, from MEMRI: Gaza-Based Yemeni Professor Abd Al-Fatah Nu'man: As Much As the Heroes on the Flotilla Want to Reach Gaza, the Option of Martyrdom Is More Desirable to Them - Al-Aqsa TV, May 28, 2010
Update: Pictures of Weapons Found on the Mavi Marmara Flotilla Ship. Wow!
Video of the weapons:
By the way, anyone know how the lady at the end of this video turned out? Just wondering...
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Video: Gaza Flotilla Thugs Stab Israeli Soldiers, Use Immediate Extreme Violence (Important Updates).
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.solomonia.com/cgi-bin/mt4/mt-renamedtb.cgi/18048
This is a bump post to note I have updated the posting below with new close up video showing the commandos being immediately attacked by violent passengers the moment they came aboard the ship. The IDF boarded ready for non-violent... Read More
Here's another comprehensive collection of useful information regarding the Gaza Flotilla. Judging from the traffic, yesterday's posting seems to have helped a considerable number of people: Video: Gaza Flotilla Thugs Stab Israeli Soldiers, Use Immedia... Read More
The Gaza flotilla was a big publicity stunt by the organizers. They really weren't concerned about the materials that they were bringing in. It was all a publicity stunt.
That having been said, I couldn’t believe it when I woke up this morning and read the headlines.
That standoff between the Israeli navy and a flotilla of ships carrying civilians and relief supplies to Gaza actually ended in a shootout and 10-15 civilian were dead
Never would I have guessed it would have ended this way.
I figured that the Navy would end the standoff by ramming the boats, shoot bullets into their hulls, or disable their rudder.
Just put boats out of action. Standoff ended.
But shoot at civilians….No.. I wouldn’t have even considered that to be an option.
The Israeli government says they were attacked. But when the score is
15-20 civilians dead and 0 military dead it’s doesn't help sell this as an assault on the Israelis
So maybe if they discover that the boats were carrying supplies of rockets, guns, explosives etc. it would help to justify the attack. But if all they find is wheelchairs, medical supplies and cement, it’s going to be a PR nightmare for Israel.
Whoever came up with this response needs to be fired and put behind bars. Israel needs to apologize to the victims families. Then it needs to say it will conduct a thorough investigation and make reparations.
The flotilla organizers staged a publicity stunt to draw worldwide attention and sympathy…and the Israeli's foolishly obliged them by playing right into their hands.
Stupid..Stupid...Stupid
I'm very sorry, this was an act of stunning stupidity on Israel's part. The diplomatic fallout will amount to a disaster of metaphorically nuclear dimensions.
No number of peace activists, even with knives and some arms, will be seen as a match for soldiers or sailors. What the world will hear is that Israel killed nine peaceniks. Even if some of them fought the soldiers, that will not--and should not--justify nine deaths. What was Netanyahu thinking!?
And even if weapons were coming through, they couldn't be enough to do Israel much harm. Israel should stop blockading Gaza and instead should concentrate on defending its borders directly. Too much of what they're blockading is humanitarian aid.
These videos are a pathetic attempt to establish some equality between the strength of the soldiers and the activists. Where were the howitzers, the rockets? One soldier with a stab on his cheek, fuzzy pictures, no real weaponry besides poles and marbles...at least that's what we see here. Firebomb? Stun grenade? All we see are tiny, fuzzy pictures accompanied by text. Pathetic. And of course the demonstrators would have some arms to defend themselves!
I am bowled over by the possibilities now...nine Rachel Corries who will be memorialized ad nauseum.
Is there such a thing as impeachment in Israel? Proceedings should start right away.
Israel should have fired on the ships to disable them or something? You seriously think you could guarantee *fewer* casualties than actually sending individual soldiers into harm's way to get the ship piloted properly on a new course?
There is literally no scenario under which Israel gets to look good. None. And far from impeaching the people in the IDF who planned this, sometimes I think I'd like to see some of Israel's "supporters" impeached.
I am updating the post with a new video that shows the boarders very clearly getting the stuffing beaten out of them by gas mask wearing passengers.
Joanne,
Look at the videos of the operation, the briefing before the operation and how the soldiers were set upon by "Flotilla Guerillas" brandishing metal clubs and chains. The rappelling line was tied to a structure on the ship in the hope of bringing down the helicopter. One soldier is unconscious in a hospital after being thrown 10' off the top deck to the deck below and landing on his head.
The IDF's mistake was to think that all 600 on board the ship were just aging hippies and useful idiots. So they came armed with paintball guns; their only lethal weapons were pistols for self-defense. When finally given permission to use them, they shot in the leg. Autopsies will reveal whether the dead passengers were shot by the IDF soldiers's pistols or other weapons. No one should be surprised if the flotilla guerillas might have created some martyrs by shooting some on their side. Even if it turns out that some of the lethal bullets came from Israeli pistols, it will take longer to sort out whether soldiers shot them or whether they were killed by guns taken from the first soldiers who were attacked when they boarded.
But Nappy agrees that this is a publicity disaster. As Mark Twain famously said, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."
As with Al Dura, Jenin, Gaza Beach or Kfar Kana, the damage done by the lies is permanent, and the later corrections have little effect on the public's lasting impressions. With all due respect to the wonderful work Richard Landes does, journalism may be the first draft of history, but how many people read historical texts.
Don't downplay the serious damage that can be done with a slingshot. Paint-ball guns and other crowd dispersal tools are useless in active combat with hostiles, even in such an asymmetric engagement. The IDF probably was worried about accusations of disproportionate force. As armchair generals, it's too easy for us to speculate about how the IDF should have deployed tear gas or smoke screens once the first soldier or two had been set upon. But clearly the error was in underestimating the enemy. Greta Berlin and the Euro-weenies on board may not have got the same memo as the Turkish Islamist goons on board the vessel.
If someone storms my ship in sea, in international waters, I have full rights to defend my property using lethal force, if needed.
Israel was doing the same thing that Somali pirates are, just with full support of their government.
The people on the flotilla did NOT attack the ships of Israel - the Israel attacked the ships, but boarding them, all the actions on board the flotilla ships, even if they were lethal can clearly be classified as defensive in international law.
More filthy lies and crapaganda. Nice macho posturing but total bullfeathers.
Sameem and JoeSettler at Muqata have been live-blogging all day. Here's the relevant bit of international law:
The Oslo Accords leave Israel in control of Gaza's coast, so Israel was asserting its legal authority, and Greta Berlin's interview makes it clear that the ship was full of contraband. Moreover, you can hear the Mari Marmara's captain decline the Israeli Navy's order to turn back or proceed to Ashdod.The only question for me is whether or whether not the Islamonazis were wearing proper uniforms. If they were wearing uniforms then they should be taken as POWs until the Jihad is over. If they weren't wearing uniforms then under International Law they have surrendered their human rights protections and may be tortured and shot at will.
I hope that Israel will have the guts to apply International Law here and not cave into the left.
Very straightforward: If they weren't wearing uniforms - torture and death. If they were wearing uniforms, then 3 squares and monthly visits with the Red Cross until the Jihad ends.
Post updated with link to Richard Landes live from Jerusalem, also the legal answer to the question as to whether Israel had a right to enforce its blockade in international waters. (The answer is yes.)
In the pic of the guy with the knife, it clearly shows that it is daylight, but the raid was done at night from the videos.
Not sure how they can explain this.
Israel committed an act of piracy in international waters. Anyone who doesn't understand that knows nothing about being out at sea because had you a shred of a clue you would understand that when someone boards your vessel without your permission they are an intruder: a pirate. Boarding the ship without permission was a clear cut attack and the passengers and crew were absolutely within their rights to defend against the unlawful attack by Israel. There is absolutely no legitimate defense to Israel's actions - they do not have a right to a preemptive attack against civilians in international waters and I suspect that Israel will pay dearly for this very foolish blunder.
This was utterly stupid and foolish. Taking the most cynical view, Israel was played perfectly: this will become the biggest boost for the BDS movement yet. This isn't going to blow over any time soon and this is a very tough one to spin for Israel - even Obama refuses to meet with Netanyahu. Not good for Israel . . . but GRRREAT for the Palestinians.
Nappy - you forgot this very important statement in the San Remo Manual:
The principles of necessity and proportionality apply equally to armed conflict at sea and require that the conduct of hostilities by a State should not exceed the degree and kind of force, not otherwise prohibited by the law of armed conflict, required to repel an armed attack against it and to restore its security.
Key words: necessity, proportionality.
Israel fails on both tests.
Everything you said is already refuted by information already posted in this thread. You know nothing about international law. This is basic. Israel acted within its rights to enforce the blockade. They acted in ACCORDANCE with international law, but thanks for the view into what the law of the sea would be in A Nonny Mouse world. Fortunately, we don't live there.
Even if they were within their rights it's beside the point. The second they take up arms they are no longer engaged in nonviolent resistance are they?
Since when is pushing peace farther away -- which is all this nonsense has accomplished -- good for Palestinians? They're the biggest losers, as always.
"Key words: necessity, proportionality.
Israel fails on both tests."
Actually, it doesn't. Israel enforced its blockade of contraband material and did so in complete accordance with the principle of proportionality. It doesn't get any more "proportional" than sending in commandos to take over a vessel in detail. Unless you'd prefer they simply sank the things...then you might...might...have an argument.
Frankly, despite the tragic loss of life, I think that this this will ultimately be good for Israel.
Too long Israel has tried to "win" a PR war stacked against it, with enemies and sympathizers look for any excuse to uproot the tiny country. The sooner Israel gives up and focuses on its own defense, the better for its own existence.
As Hamas fully understood (and bragged about in advance), there was no way for Israel to get out of this without losing face in front of a hostile world.
Joanne,
I'm sorry to say but letting ANY weapons is pure stupidity of nuclear proportion to even consider on your part.
It seems you were right on only one point:
The world has been ignorant and has been more and more blinded by the vale of the extremists who claim to follow Mohamed. The world's eyes might never recover.
The UN is a joke and the sad truth is that the anti-Israel attitude that has been growing rampant in the world has been exposed thanks to this event.
These were not peace anything, they were and are like all others running around our free world funded by extremist and fundamentalist terrorist groups. They infest our schools, universities, work places and political institutions by using the system of freedom against us.
This is the reason why Europe is being overrun by such groups and, like France, crumble to their pressure and demands because of their ultimate weapon: FEAR.
But Israel is not scared, we face them where they stand, like our soldiers who boarded an illegal boat with terrorists using women and 6 month old children as human shields, we will descend in the depths of hell and fight the good fight to protect our own 1st and to shed light and truth on darkness and whatever it brings.
It was Israeli waters, they are lucky we didn't just bomb them out of it.
AM ISRAEL CHAI! WE WILL SURVIVE! WE HAVE SURVIVED! AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET AND BE ERASED FROM THIS EARTH.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! I wish the State Run Media had the guts to run it!
Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Adding to Sol's smackdown of Nonny's nonsensical bilge, recall that there was a flotilla. The other boats didn't pose any problems; the boats were towed to port in Ashdod without incident.
Only in case of the Mari Marmara were there Turkish jihadis who brutally assaulted IDF troopers armed with paintball guns. It's on video for all to see, and the videos show a different story than the massacre that Adam Shapiro and Greta Berlin claim. Their bogus reports of IDF soldiers boarding the ship with guns blazing, shooting assault rifles indiscriminately, are simply not supported by the videos. Jenin hoax, anyone?
The videos and pictures also show a very serious collection of knives, clubs and other weapons. No, big combination wrenches and large pipe wrenches aren't ordinarily considered weapons; they're useful tools in the hand of a mechanic or plumber when used in conjunctions with other tools. But they can do a lot of damage in close-quarter fighting, and they're not ordinarily something a passenger on a cruise ship would need to carry. In the context of what was confiscated from the flotilla guerillas, they're deadly weapons. Crude, but deadly nonetheless.)
We've learned that we have to pay attention to what's said in Arabic (or Persian, Pashtu or Urdu as well as what's said in English. The Al Jazeera broadcast from the ship sounds innocent enough in English until you look at what the jihadis were saying, not at how Al Jazeera characterized their words.
Nonny is a new breed of mouse that Nappy hasn't run into before. Nappy smells a rat.
No problemo. The obvious explanation is the very simple fact that the operation started before dawn but continued well into the day.
The ship was laden with Humanitarian aid and people that OBAMA has ties with.
I wonder if thats the reason he was not in DC?
Maybe he had more pressing business than laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown.
Rather, he was having a BBQ with Farrakhan and Company. The Flotilla had been tied to the Muslim brotherhood and the nation of ISLAM. The very people who Obama was dining with.
Obama attends a Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan (Jew Hater), barbecue instead of attending DC memorial day services. Surprise! They are next door NEIGHBORS!!!
http://txlady706.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/obama-attends-a-nation-of-islam-louis-farrakhan-jew-hater-barbecue-instead-of-attending-dc-memorial-day-services-surprise-they-are-next-door-neighbors/
Nappy hopes you're right. As Richard Landes points out in the PJTV video interview Sol linked above, Israel did much better than in the past of getting some truth out in the same daily news cycle.
OT-
Has anyone any idea how this hole came about that Agatha made?
http://txlady706.wordpress.com/2010/05/31/guatemala-large-circular-crater-opened-after-agatha-hit/
""A left-wing activist on board the Gaza flotilla holding a knife after Israel Navy commandos boarded their ship on May 31, 2010."
From official reports, it said they boarded the ship after midnight. Also the videos of the raid show it was in the night. It's a bit hard to believe that they were on the ship till daylight came.
The videos give very strong evidence that the guys in the ship were looking for a fight and not the peace loving activists carrying aid that the media is potraying them to be. I don't dispute that.
But I am concerned by the picture and have serious doubts on its authenticity. Also that picture can't be found on the link on the Haaretz site that you provided, could it be they removed it after they realized that inconsistency?
Sorry correction, I mean the picture can't be found on the Haaretz site that the blog post above provides the link to. (not you). Was it removed, and if so why?
Don't know why Haaretz removed it. These papers have a tendency to update pages without saying anything.
It never occurred to me that someone would think the picture was taken during the heat of the raid. It's something that was clearly taken earlier by the people on the boat. The guys in back are smiling. You can see what appears to be his knife in the pictures of captured weapons. Would be interesting to find the original source...
Hi Solomon,
The caption for the photo and reprinted in the blog post above states that the picture was taken after the ship was boarded. But I agree it looks like a posed photo rather than one in the heat of the raid. If it was a genuine oversight, then Haaretz should acknowledge it. Removing it quietly hoping no one notices just seems very shady to me, especially in the light of the publicity this incident has gathered.
But I agree with you , knowing the original source might help clarify things.
Good point about the caption. I kept focusing on the "left wing activist" part. The light effect in the background could just be a camera effect. Hard to say. Agreed that more info is needed to say anything for certain.
Ending Israel's losing streak
http://www.carolineglick.com/e/2010/05/ending-israels-losing-streak.php
This video clip shows how intelligently Israeli government has prepared it's justification of the killings. The simple "cut and paste technique" was used. if this is what happened aboard the ship then the 19 dead must be IDF soldiers rather than opposite counterpart. They have successfully deluded everyone to think on what they have seen in clips, the so called weapons and the Israeli soldiers being beaten. Everyone has completely forgotten the following facts:-
1) this was a humanitarian aid convoy.
2) 9/19 were killed, these were civilians.
3) the ship was still in the international waters, Israelis had no right to board the ship
4) people, I repeat people are dying in Gaza because of the lack basic necessities as a result of the blockage.
5) Israeli is occupying Palestinian lands.
I thought Jews were supposed to be smart.
San Remo Manual only covers two nations at war. Were Turkey and Israel at war? It isn't controlling here. Israel is at war with the entire world now. The State of Israel will cease to exist within 30 years, unless you drive the crazy out of yourselves. From Entebbe to this in 25 years. Good Job, Likudniks. You can kill yourselves faster than the Arabs can.
IDF Shayetet 13!
Not even as smart as Somali pirates!!!
You ignorant assclowns really don't get it, do you?
The people on those ships had every right to repel any and all boarders by any and all means necessary, including lethal force, as they were in international waters. The controlling law on that ship was Turkish. Kiss the State of Israel good-bye.
You brought this on yourselves. You are the SS and fascists now. Enjoy it. You've come full circle. It's a good thing Jews don't believe in hell. Bad Jews like you would surely go there.
Letters to the New York Times
December 4, 1948
New Palestine Party
Visit of Menachem Begin and Aims of Political Movement Discussed
TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the Freedom Party (Tnuat Haherut), a political party closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization in Palestine.
The current visit of Menachem Begin, leader of this party, to the United States is obviously calculated to give the impression of American support for his party in the coming Israeli elections, and to cement political ties with conservative Zionist elements in the United States. Several Americans of national repute have lent their names to welcome his visit. It is inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly informed as to Mr. Begin's political record and perspectives, could add their names and support to the movement he represents.
Before irreparable damage is done by way of financial contributions, public manifestations in Begin's behalf, and the creation in Palestine of the impression that a large segment of America supports Fascist elements in Israel, the American public must be informed as to the record and objectives of Mr. Begin and his movement.
The public avowals of Begin's party are no guide whatever to its actual character. Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti-imperialism, whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state. It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character; from its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.
Attack on Arab Village
A shocking example was their behavior in the Arab village of Deir Yassin. This village, off the main roads and surrounded by Jewish lands, had taken no part in the war, and had even fought off Arab bands who wanted to use the village as their base. On April 9 (THE NEW YORK TIMES), terrorist bands attacked this peaceful village, which was not a military objective in the fighting, killed most of its inhabitants 240 men, women, and children and kept a few of them alive to parade as captives through the streets of Jerusalem. Most of the Jewish community was horrified at the deed, and the Jewish Agency sent a telegram of apology to King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan. But the terrorists, far from being ashamed of their act, were proud of this massacre, publicized it widely, and invited all the foreign correspondents present in the country to view the heaped corpses and the general havoc at Deir Yassin.
The Deir Yassin incident exemplifies the character and actions of the Freedom Party.
Within the Jewish community they have preached an admixture of ultranationalism, religious mysticism, and racial superiority. Like other Fascist parties they have been used to break strikes, and have themselves pressed for the destruction of free trade unions. In their stead they have proposed corporate unions on the Italian Fascist model.
During the last years of sporadic anti-British violence, the IZL and Stern groups inaugurated a reign of terror in the Palestine Jewish community. Teachers were beaten up for speaking against them, adults were shot for not letting their children join them. By gangster methods, beatings, window-smashing, and wide-spread robberies, the terrorists intimidated the population and exacted a heavy tribute.
The people of the Freedom Party have had no part in the constructive achievements in Palestine. They have reclaimed no land, built no settlements, and only detracted from the Jewish defense activity. Their much-publicized immigration endeavors were minute, and devoted mainly to bringing in Fascist compatriots.
Discrepancies Seen
The discrepancies between the bold claims now being made by Begin and his party, and their record of past performance in Palestine bear the imprint of no ordinary political party. This is the unmistakable stamp of a Fascist party for whom terrorism (against Jews, Arabs, and British alike), and misrepresentation are means, and a Leader State is the goal.
In the light of the foregoing considerations, it is imperative that the truth about Mr. Begin and his movement be made known in this country. It is all the more tragic that the top leadership of American Zionism has refused to campaign against Begin's efforts, or even to expose to its own constituents the dangers to Israel from support to Begin.
The undersigned therefore take this means of publicly presenting a few salient facts concerning Begin and his party; and of urging all concerned not to support this latest manifestation of fascism.
(signed)
Isidore Abramowitz, Hannah Arendt, Abraham Brick, Rabbi Jessurun Cardozo, Albert Einstein, Herman Eisen, M.D., Hayim Fineman, M. Gallen, M.D., H.H. Harris, Zelig S. Harris, Sidney Hook, Fred Karush, Bruria Kaufman, Irma L. Lindheim, Nachman Maisel, Symour Melman, Myer D. Mendelson, M.D., Harry M. Orlinsky, Samuel Pitlick, Fritz Rohrlich, Louis P. Rocker, Ruth Sager, Itzhak Sankowsky, I.J. Schoenberg, Samuel Shuman, M. Znger, Irma Wolpe, Stefan Wolpe
New York, Dec. 2, 1948
It's too bad that that anti-Semite, Cynthia McKinney, wasn't one of those killed. She's always been at the forefront of these Gaza "missions."
monkey, you're the assclown.
The ships were inside the pre-declared Gaza blockade zone, which International law declares to be the 68 nautical mile line, not 20.
This was a perfectly legal enforcement of the blockade, and guess what! The United States and United Kingdom are partners to this blockade!
No, they don't get it: useful fools like these never do. Israel just blew its wad to kill activists armed with kitchen knives. Oh, maybe one or two knives in the bunch wouldn't be used in the kitchen but there's even a sharpening stick for cryin' out loud. Of course, anyone who wants to believe the slick IDF pr video is just naive but, whatever. Israel could nuke New York and these folks would find a way to blame the New Yorkers and praise Israel for defending itself. But as for garnering world wide attention, in one stupid act of machismo Israel just put the Palestinian crisis front and center. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
Mousey, we are supposed to believe that "Peace Activists" attacking with clubs and kitchen knives are filled with "peace????
That's your example of a "peace activist"?
You are a sick joke, like the rest of the FAKE "anti-war" activists. After all, when has anyone ever seen an "anti-war" march post 9/11, that denounces osama bin laden, saddam hussein, nasrallah, hamass?
Mousey, you are a FAKE, PHONEY, FRAUD, like the rest of your fellow scum.
Speaking of nukes, if the US or Hindu majority India or Israel suffer a nuke attack, islamofascists can expect Mecca/Makka to be totally destroyed in retaliation.
Spengler
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LF02Ak03.html
Hey Eddie, how come you're not living in the promised land? Why don't you get out of your arm chair and go live in Israel your other country -where you can fight your favorite Islamo-fascists instead of wasting your lif commenting here. Of course, you might have to renounce your U.S. citizenship but that won't hurt you one bit since you support Israel over the U.S. any day. Unlike you, I actually love and support MY country which is the United States of America. You so-called Americans who put your support of Israel before the U.S. are TRAITORS. Go live where your allegiance lies cause it sure isn't the United States of America.
Oh great. Another person declaring what is "American."
Just what we need.
Meanwhile, I agree with the above comments that this showed some stupidity on the part of Israeli leadership/planners.
It was a given that this "peaceful civilian aid" flotilla was meant to result in a huge propaganda coup and, it did.
At some point Israeli leaders have to start being smarter and realize that there was no way this wasn't going to involve a disaster but that every possible step to avoid casualties had to be taken.
Beyond that I am very worried about the position taken by Erdogan. I wonder how far Turkey under his leadership is straying from a secular, proWestern position.
That is the very serious issue underlying the propaganda against Israel.
Sink the Damn Ships!
This topics' introduction is a pathetic, one sided, desperate attempt to come off better in a situation where Israel have blatantly raided a boat, killed 10 or so innocent activists who were delivering aid to help desperate men, women and children.
They way Israel validify the attack is because they encroached on an area within their cruel, inhumane blockade.
You can shove your crooked US backed international laws where the sun don't shine. The blockade is a despicable act that leaves Israel and it's supporters no right to point their fingers at anyone else.
It's not propaganda that makes many people anti-Israel. Whilst this blockade exists you don't need anti-Israel propaganda. And whilst you murder 10 activists you don't need propaganda.
Mousey, If you don't like the US or its allies, please pack up all your crap and try your chances against the US military, or even better a US drone with your name on it. I like your latter choice.
Beddowes, "peace activists" attacking with knives and clubs and guns?
Who do you think you are fooling?
http://www.boycottscotland.com
It's about COMPASSION for the 270 murdered in the bombing of Pan Am 103, NOT for the bomber.
I didn't say 'peace' activists Eddie. They are not a bunch of hippies.
They fought against the IDF boarding their ship in an attempt to block supplies going to Gaza, that is worth fighting for.
Again, not true. The goods were to go through the land channels as offered by both Israel and Egypt, and as is being done right now. The flotilla had another agenda.
Yes, that agenda being delivering aid without being slaughtered by the IDF.
If they had another motive and more so if there was evidence of this they would not have been released.
How jolly nice of them. Good old Israel and Egypt helping activists deliver aid to Gaza under the watchful eye of the international media.
No, that agenda being to cause an international incident and make as much trouble as possible to support Hamas and undermine Israel's existence. If they were real humanitarian activists it would have been about getting the material in with as little drama as possible.
I'll add to that.
I don't suppose those of you attacking Israel have considered the possibility that taking casualties, as in a suicide attack, was part of the plan?
Of course, nobody would ever make a suicide mission against Israel now would they.
Right.
The Flotilla's where a blatant set-up by Turkey and others to break the blockades.
The Free Gaza and I. H.H. are terrorist organization hiding under the umbrella
of Humanitarians. These peace lovers were beating the I.D.F and Israel once
again defended herself! The media has a agenda of brainwashing lies to the
world, but the truth will find set all free.When the Flotillas floated over to
Cyprus on route to Gaza to dock, Cypress turned them down as well as Egypt.
Why? Terrorist on board! Wake up world.
Haaaa!!! Sixty years ago too Israel said they "attacked" Palestine to "defend" themselves...... Lmao.. crap might be easier to swallow rather than believe the lies Israel feeds the world.... Just like the Zionist bloggers they have out there... Ha ha mother effen haaaa!!! The world is watching you.. You will no longer keep Palestine as a concentration camp.. You're the real murderers and thugs.... But you think all your crimes are justified! God is watching you....
em, 62 years ago Israel defeated armies of 5 attacking islamofascist entities.
That fact eats at racist scum like you.
Good.
HAPPY NAKBA and may you have many, many more Nakbas!
Sorry dude, Israel did not attack "Palestine."
Israel was attacked by 7 Arab armies the day it declared independence. Prior to that innocent Jewish civilians had been attacked for decades by local Arabs. There were several pogroms, becoming increasingly worse and spreading throughout the Arab world until finally nearly the entire Jewish population of the Middle East had fled. Most people lost all their property and their businesses and their jobs.
Meanwhile - big surprise - the Israelis managed to survive although the British had disarmed and blockaded the Jews and allowed the British led and armed Arabs to beseige Jerusalem, and also bomb and shell it then subsequently annex the West Bank and "East" ie the old city of Jerusalem and expel all the Jewish residents who have been a majority in the city since the early 19th century.
Note, the Jordanians didn't create a Palestinian state and the Egyptians annexed Gaza and imprisoned the residents. There are "refugee camps" in Gaza and the West Bank to this day.
Why?
You should also read the records of imperial Britain, which if nothing else was good at keeping notes. Jewish leaders begged the local Arabs to stay and join the nascent state but they refused. Some 200,000 fled before the war even started.
Is Israel such a pariah to intercept a flotilla of ships and activists bent on lifting Israel’s blockade of the Hamas regime (despite several warnings)? Properly elected though they may be, Hamas is nevertheless a regime whose charter, rhetoric, and behaviour are all aimed at Israel’s destruction.
Why is it that Israel again finds itself in the center of a perfect media storm? It’s critics would argue because it’s actions merit such coverage but the facts rarely support the hostile perception it receives through simplistic imagery and narratives that fail to reflect the complexities on the ground in Israel or in Gaza. Few media outlets note the fact that Israel sends 15000 tons of goods and supplies into Gaza each week, a figure that makes the flotilla’s cargo a mere drop in the ocean. For all the discussion of a terrible “humanitarian crisis”, there is little hunger in Gaza, no starved children or famine deaths. There is only tyranny, extremism and endless war sustained by the brutal rule of Iranian backed Hamas. In relation to recent events the following points should be noted but as usual are ignored by media outlets keen to sensationalize a story, particularly one supporting their skewed perception that Israel is not the moral bastion it purports to be. I don’t know too many countries that given what Israel has had to withstand since 1948 in terms of hostility and media bias would come close to behaving in such a restrained manner. The hypocrisy of standards would be laughable if it wasn’t so contemptible or sad.
1. The Palestinian people are not under blockade. In the West Bank, Israel has worked hard in the past year to bring prosperity and lay the foundations for peace. Most of the roadblocks are down and the West Bank’s economy is now one of the fastest growing in the world. There is only one reason that the blockade was instituted: to prevent the rearming of the brutal tyrants of Hamas, who would use those arms against Israel civilians and their own people.
2. Civilians on the Flotilla were cynically exploited by terrorist organisations. Five ships did not act with violence toward the soldiers, and were peacefully brought to port. Only the ship that had planned in advance to brutally attack the soldiers and endanger their lives were in turn met with deadly force.
3. There are ways to help the residents of Gaza that do not also help the Iran backed Hamas regime and terror organisations in the Gaza Strip. Supplies can be donated to UN agencies, for example. But Israel cannot allow open supply routes for war materials into Gaza.
Israel is not asking for blind support for the Government’s position. Even within Israel there is criticism over the handling of the flotilla operation and the policy that led to it. Israel is a country that cherishes as their highest ideal the freedom to speak one’s mind and criticise. However, I for one, am happy to help defend it’ s image against those that seek to delegitimize and dehumanize it, an effort led by many who would deny it’s very right to exist. The flotilla was clearly a political act, not a humanitarian one and the ultimate goal of those who choose such premeditated violence (by provoking in the first place) is not peace but rather the destruction of Israel.
This whole page is pure BS propaganda. One SMALL piece that is missing is that these "soldiers" shot at this boat while these people were sleeping, KILLING at least one of them! Didn't know that after reading and watching this tripe, did you? So not only is it understandable that these people would defend themselves while being invaded, is there anyone here who wouldn't stab these asses while they boarded, AFTER shooting you and killing at least one of yours? Really? Morons.
Talk about BS. There is ZERO proof of that. None. If they already started firing on the ship, why was it only on THIS ship, and why did the soldiers board with paintball guns? It makes NO sense. There not only isn't any proof, there isn't any evidence.
Ah yes evidence, I wonder why there isn't any evidence? I wonder why Israel only released edited clips of the attack? I wonder why activists were confiscated of film and camera footage?
4 bullets found in one activists head is pretty good proof of the IDF's despicable, cowardly actions and Israel's refusal to an inquiry into the incident also speaks volumes.
Actually, it's pretty good evidence of close-quarters combat against men wearing bullet-resistant vests.
Salam,
If you care for the gazan people:
a. Don’t send expired medication as this only cause trouble.
b. make sure you deliver through the UN or the Red Cross because otherwise goods are being confiscated by Hamas which just sell them on to raise money and this never goes to the people who needs it.
c. make sure it’s actually needed. A lot of people just assume everything is needed although many goods are being sold for half price than in egypt/jordan/lebanon because there is so much. So pay attention to what you choose to donate.
d. don’t listen to Hamas and Abbas because they steal everything they can and never invest the money in us. A lot of us work in the Israeli settlements, when you ban their products you are actually causing our people to lose a lot of their jobs.
Thank you
Salim Abdul-Karem (writing from Gaza)